Tunneling-machine.



F. L. DANA.

TUNNELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21. l9l8.

Patented Dec. 30, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

fig ATTORNEYS E MI AW u F. L. DANA.

TUNNELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27. 1918.

1,326,480. Patented Dec. 30,1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- INVENTOR j zpwfi J. 53M

BY HM h ATTORNEYS F. L. DANA.

TUNNELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY ZULQIB- 1 326,480. Patented Dec. 30, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

n A INVEN OR w t/f rM M ATTORNEYS UNITED srArEs PATENT omen.

FRANK L/IJANA, or nous'roiq, TEXAS.

TUNNELING-MAGHINE.

Application filed May 27, 1918.

' improvements in a tunneling machine.

The object of the invention is to provide a cutter head which carriessuitable cutting means and associated with which is a conical shapedshell, which receives'the loose earth and directs the same to a conveyerby means of which the earth is'conveyed to the mouth of'the tunnel.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of means forrotating the head, said means being also operatively connected with acarrying vehicle, by' means of which the machine is supported and drivenforward against the breast of the tunnel be ing cut away.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of meanswhereby the direction of the machine may be varied, thus permitting achan e in the course of the tunnel being excavated.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention has particularrelation to certain novel features of construction, operav tion, andarrangement of parts, an example of which is given in thisspecification, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Y

Figure 1, is a side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2, is a rear end view, thereof.

Fig. 3, is a front end view, and

Fig. 4, is a vertical sectional view.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numeralsof reference designate similar parts in each of the figures, the numeral1, refers to a tractor frame supported by a caterpillar tractor 2. Theupper part of this frame is formed into a long bearing 3, and extendingthrough this hearing is the drive shaft 5, to which the sec tionalsleeve 4 is keyed. The numeral 6, refers to a motor, having a base 7which is provided with a long bearing through which the rear, or outerend of the shaft extends. Secured to the motor base, and dependingtherefrom, are the supporting arms 8, 8, and secured thereto andextending upwardly are the arms 9, 9, the said arms be- SpecifieationotLetters Patent.

Serial No. 23am.

ing formed into bearings 10, 10, and 11, 11, 111 which the respectiveaxles 12 and 13 rotate. Fixed to these axles are frusto-conical shapedguidewheels 14, 14, and 15, 15, which havethe annular flanges 16, 16,and 17, 17.

Patented Dec. 30, 1919.

The wheels 14 and 15 bear against the walls of the tunnel and theflanges cut into said wall as the machine moves forwardly. The motorbase has the lateral arms 18 18, extending therefrom on opposite sides,and whose free ends carry the rollers 19, 19, which bear against thesides of the tunnel.

-The arms 8, 9, and 18 are adjustable, thus providing for the verticaland lateral adjustment of the rear end of the machine, and thusproviding means for guiding the machine and determining the course ofthe tunnel, as well as providing means for su porting the motor and therear end of tl ie drive shaft. Fixed to the motor shaft is a frame 1,and is operatively connected with and drives the tractor 2. The forwardend of the shaft 5 terminates in a spiraled point 26, which to someextent directs the course to the tunnel and steadies the machine andalso cuts out the center ofthe bore. A circular cutter head 27 ismounted on the shaft 5, the required distance behind the point 26. Thiscutter head is formed of a heavy circular metallic plate, whose outeredge carries an annular flange 28, formed into the internal gear face29. Within the flange 28, is an annular bearing rim 30, which is carriedby the head, and within which fits the enlarged end of a conical shapedshell 31. The apex of this shell is formed into a bearing 32, into whichthe outer end of the sleeve 4; extends, the rim 30 and the bearing 32,forming anchors, which fix the shell in position, and hold it in itsproper relation to the cutter head 27; and suitable antifriction meansbetween the rim '30 and the shell 31 may be provided if found necessary.

The cutter head may be rotated by any suitable mechanism, which may befound best adapted to rotate the same. Ordinarily said head may be fixedto the shaft 5, and rotated thereby.

A plurality of the shafts 35 may be provided if desired for the purposespecified. Arranged on opposite sides of the shell 31, and securedthereto are the vertlcal supporting braces 38, 38, whose upper and lowerends, respectively, are provided with bearings through which therespective transverse shafts 39 and 40 extend, said shafts formingaxles, to the ends of wh1ch the conical shaped wheels 41, 41,- and 42,42, are respectively fixed, said wheels being provided with flanges 43,43, and 44, 44, which cut into the walls of the tunnel above and below.These wheels support the forward end of the conical shell 31, and steadythe sameand the flanges 43, and 44, prevent the conical shell fromrotating with the cutter head and assist in imparting a' uniform courseto the machine as the same progresses. Within the shell 31, and fixed tothe sleeve 4, is a spiraled vane or screw 45, which receives the looseearth discharged into the shell, and forces the same rearwardly throughthe discharge opening 46, in the underside of the shell, and into thehopper 47, which is carried by the forward end of the conveyer casing48. The earth is admitted through said hopper into said casing and iscarried toward the mouth of the bore by means of the screw conveyer 49;any other form of conveyer as a belt conveyer may be used if desired.The conveyer 49 rotates within said casing and the earth is dischargedby it onto a belt conveyer 50, of the usual construction and therebydelivered to the mouth of the tunnel. The forward end of the conveyershaft has a gear wheel 51, fixed thereto, which is in mesh withthe gearface 29, forming an operative mechanism through which the conveyer 49 isrotated. The upper side of the shell 31 has an opening 52, to provideaccess to the interior of the shell, and the cutter head has openingshereinafter described, through which workmen may pass to gain access tothe work, for repairs and the like. The cutter head has a plurality ofbearing rollers 53, which are rotatably mounted upon bearing pins 54,projecting forwardly from said head, and these rollers bear against thewalls of the tunnel, as the cutter head rotates to bear the weight ofthe head and to steady the rotation thereof. Each roller is providedwith a spiraled rib 55, which guides the roller and eliminates thefriction thereof against the walls of the bore. The cutter head also hasa plurality of forwardly projecting swiveling casters, or idler wheels56, which bear against the breast of the tunnel and regulate the depthat which the cutters hereinafter described may operate.

Cutting disks 57 are mounted on the cutter head and project forwardlytherefrom.

These disks have a swiveling connection with said head so as to readilyaccommodate themselves to the rotation of the cutter head in eitherdirection, and to be at all times in operative position. These disks are.spaced a uniform distance apart from the center to the circumference ofthe cutter head, and cut into the breast of the tunnel as the cutterhead rotates, and said head is also provided with two radial scrapers58, 58, which project forwardly from the head and are formed into scoopswhich gather up loose earth formed by the disks 57, and deliver the samethrough the adjacent openings 59, through the cutter head and into theshell 31. A radially extending shear 60 is provided which extends fromthe center to the circumference of the head. This is scoop-likein form,and has a sharp cutting edge, and carries two circular cutters 61, 61,which are rotatably mounted on the bearings 62, 62, and which projectforwardly from said shear. These cutters shear off the breast of thetunnel which has been left in a rough'and uneven condition by the disks57, and the scoop-like shear 60 follows said cutters and gathers up theearth sheared off by them and discharges the same through a suitableopening in the cutter head into the shell 31.

In case it is desired the entire machine may be surrounded by means of aportable lining 63 preferably of sheet metal, This lining is cylindricalin form and is secured in fixed position relative to the machine bymeans of suitable braces 64 which are fastened at their inner ends tothe tractor frame and at their outer ends to the lining. This lining hassuitable openings through which the wheels, 15, 16, 41 and 42 and therollers 19, project, and the bottom of the lining has an opening topermit the caterpillar tractor to travel along the bottom of the tunnel.This lining prevents the loose earth from falling into the mechanism ofthe machine and interfering with the work.

For the purpose of holding the forward.

ends of the lining, spaced uniformly from the cutter head, and forminimizing the friction there between, I have provided antifrictionrollers 65, which are interposed be tween them.

What I claim is:

1. A tunneling machine including a rotatable cutter head, provided withan opening, means for rotating the same, a plurality of independentcutting disks having a swiveling connection with the head and projecting forwardly therefrom, said disks operating against the breast ofthe tunnel and a scoop-like shear arranged adjacent said opening andfollowing the disks and adapted to gather the earth loosened by saiddisks and force the same through the opening in said head.

. 2'. Atunneling machine including a rotatable cutter head, means forrotatlng the same, independent cutting disks having a swivelingconnection with said head, a scooplike shear carried by the head andextending radially relative thereto, circular cutters carried by saidshear, roller bearings havinga swiveling connection with the head andadapted to operate against the breast of the tunnel to regulate thedepth at which said cutting disks can operate and bearing rollerscarried b the head and operatin against the wall of the tunnel andprovide with peripheral spiraled ribs.

3. A tunneling machine including a rotatable cutter head, provided withan inlet opening, means. for rotating the same, a sta; tionary shellprovided with a discharge opening, a conveyer arranged to receive theearth discharged through said discharge opening, bearing rollers carriedby the head and bearing against the walls of the tunnel, as the cutterhead rotates, cutting means carried by the head, and operating againstthe' breast of the tunnel, rotatable bearing members carried by the headand bearing against the breast of the tunnel to regulate the feed of thecutting means, a scoop like scraper carried by the head and adapted togather up the earth loosened by said cutting means and to discharge thesame through the opening in the head into said shell, and a spiraledvane within the shell which engages with the loose earth therein andforces the same through said discharge opening into the conveyer.

4. A tunneling machine, including a rotatable cutter head provided withan opening, means for rotating the same, a conical shaped shell providedwith a discharge opening, and arranged behind said head, means forfixing said shell against rotation, said she-ll being adapted to receivethe loose earth cut from the breast of the tunnel by said head anddelivered by it through the opening of said head, a spiraled vane fixedto the head-rotating means and fitted within the shell and conforming'to the contour, thereof, and a conveyer driven by the head arranged toreceive the earth delivered by said vane through the opening of theshell and tocarry the same backward toward the mouth of the tunnel.

5. A tunneling machine including a rotatable cutter head, means forrotating'the same, a conical shaped shell arranged behind the head andprovided with a discharge opening, a rotatable spiraled vane formed tofit within the shell and mounted on the exterior of and rotated by thehead-rotating means whereby the loose earth discharged into said shellis collected together and delivered through the discharge opening of theshell, and a conveyer operatively connected with and driven by the headand arranged to receive the earth discharged from the shell and conveythe same backwardly toward the mouth of the tunnel.

6. A device of the character described including a drive shaft, arotatable cutter head fixed thereon, and provided with an inletoperating against the breast of the tunnel being bored, means adapted toreceive the loose earth cut from said breast, and to discharge the samethrough the opening in said head, into said shell, means fixed upon theshaft within the shell, and adapted to force the earth through thedischarge opening into the conveyer, a traction mechanism adapted tosupport and drive the machine forward against the breast of the tunnel,and adjustable guiding means through which the course of the machinemay-be varied.

7. A tunneling machine includin a rotatable cutter head, means forrotating the same, bearing rollers carried by the head, which bearagainst the walls'of the tunnel as the cutter head rotates, aperipheral, spiraled rib carried by each roller, cutting meansprojecting forwardly from the cutter head, a stationary shell arrangedbehind said head and provided with a discharge openin means carried bythe head and adapted to collect the loose earth cut'from the breast ofthe tunnel, and discharge the same through said head into said shell, aconveyer, and means operating within the shell adapted to force theearth therein through said discharge opening into said conveyer.

8. A tunneling machine, including a rotatable cutter head, provided witha plurality of openings, a drive shaft whereon said head is mounted,independent cutting disks having a swiveling connection with said head,scoop-like shears carried by the head and arranged adjacent saidopenings and adapted to gather up the loose earth cut from the tunnel bysaid disks and discharge the same through said head, depth regulatingrollers, havin a swiveling connection with the head, ro lers carried bythe head and operating against the walls of the tunnel, a stationaryconical shaped shell arranged behind the head and provided with adischarge opening, a spiraled vane arranged within the shell and drivenby said shaft, a tractor operatively connected with and driven by saidshaft, a guiding device supporting the rear end of the shaft, saidguiding device including flanged beveled wheels which operate againstthe Walls of the tunnel above and below and roller bearings whichoperate against the sides of the tunnel. s

9. A tunneling machine including a shaft extending axially relative tothe tunnel, a rotatable cutter head mounted on the shaft, means forrotating said head, a conical shaped shell fixed against rotation behindthe head and having a common axis with said shaft, means for deliveringthe cuttings from said head into said shell, the outer end of the shellbeing provided with a discharge opening, a conveyer, one end of which isarranged underneath the opening of the shell, and a spiraled vanemounted on the exterior of the shaft and rotated thereby and fittedwithin the shell and formed to sweep around the Walls of the shell, andadapted to gathen up the loose earth delivered into the shell and tocollect the same together and force it upwardly along the bottom wall ofthe shell, and discharge the same through the opening thereof into theconveyer.

10. A tunneling machine including a rota table cutter head provided withan inlet opening, a shaft whereon said head is mounted, a conical shapedshell fixed behind the head and havinga common axis with said shaft, theouter end of said shell being provided with a discharge openingunderneath, means carried by the head to gather up the loose earth cutfrom the breast of the tunnel by said head, and to discharge the samethrough said inlet opening into said shell, a conveyerv operativelyconnected with and driven by the head, one end of which is arrangedunderneath the discharge opening, a spiraled vane fixed to andsurrounding the shaft fitted within the shell and conforming to thecontour thereof, and adapted to sweep around the walls of the shell andto collect the loose earth therein, and force the same upwardly alongthe bottom wall of the shell ried by the head adapted to gather up thecuttings from the breast of the tunnel, and

to discharge the same through said inlet opening into said shell, aconveyer operatively connected with and driven by the head, and arrangedto receive the material dlscharged through said discharge opening, asplraled vane fitted within the shell and adapted to engage with thematerial therein and force the same through said discharge opening intothe conveyer and means for rotating said head and vane.

12. A tunneling machine including a rotatable cutter head, having aninlet opening, meansfor rotating the same, cutters carried by the headand operatin against the breast of the tunnel, a conica shaped shellarranged behind the head, and provided with a discharge opening, arotatable spiraled I vane formed to fit within the shell and mounted onthe exterior of and rotated by the head-rotating means, whereby theloose earth discharged from said cutters through said inlet opening intothe shell is collected together and delivered through the dischargeopening of the shell and a conveyer arranged to receive the earthdischarged from the shell and convey the same backwardly toward themouth of the tunnel.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK L. DANA. Witnesses J. W. WooDs, IRENE BRUNS.

